Score: VCU 0, No. 21 FIU 4
Location: Miami, Fla. (FIU Soccer Stadium)
Records: VCU 0-1-1, No. 21 FIU 2-0-0
THE SHORT STORY: VCU Men's Soccer lost its first road match of the season, dropping a 4-0 decision at No. 21 FIU on Monday night.
"When you play at this level, nights like tonight are the risk you take," said head coach
Dave Giffard. "FIU are a top team but we aided them by giving away two to three goals out of nothing. You're not going to win games against the top teams in the country doing that. Early on it looked like we were still feeling the effects of what we had to give on Thursday night, but it's something we have to learn how to deal with as the effort and concentration that's required in these games is very high and there isn't any room for less than your best.
"On a positive note, both Bebe [
Moussa Ndiaye] and Papa [Toure] got minutes later in the game and that will help them in their return to play readiness. We also got college minutes for several freshman who are going to be important as we go through this journey. I think by Friday we may add another guy back into the mix as well and so we are creeping towards full strength one day at a time. Our preparation for Friday has already begun and we need to continue to learn and move on to the next."
PITCH SIDE
HOW IT HAPPENED
- FIU got its first goal in the 5th minute
- Near the end of the 15th minute, FIU scored its second goal of the match
- The Rams got a pair of shots on goal from Bay-Smidt and Joseph, with Bay-Smidt's coming in the 35th minute and Joseph's coming in the 37th minute
- On the final kick of the half, FIU scored its third goal of the match on a header from a free kick
- In the 49th minute, FIU scored the fourth and final goal of the match to make it 4-0
- VCU did rip a shot on goal in the 80th minute and during the 88th minute Cory Taylor (replaced Ermini midway through the half) made a final save in goal for the Rams
UP NEXT: The Rams remain on the road with a visit to American on Sept. 1. VCU returns to Sports Backers Stadium on Sept. 4 when they play host to North Carolina.
